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F ACTS 



RELATIVE TO THE 



POLITICAL AND MOIIAL CLAIMS 



WILKINS UPDIKE, 



FOR THE SUPPORT OF 



THE WHIG ELECTORS 



OF THE 



WRSTERN DISTRICT 



PROVIDENCE 
1847. 



F%3 



m- 



FACTS, &C, 



" My business in tliis State 
" Mnde mc a looker-on licie in Vleiina, 
" Where I have seen corriiptiim hoil ami biiljhic 
" Till it o'or-ruii the stew : laws tor all faults, 
" B'.it faults so countcnaiic'd, that the strong statutes 
" Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, 
" As much in mock as mark." 

Measuke for RIeasure. 

WrLKFNS Updike is aofain in nomination for 
Representative to Cong-ress from tlie Western 
District of this State. He has accepted the 
nomination. He is therefore, by his own con- 
sent, before the people ; subject to their opinions 
and llieir censnre, if by his prior acts he can be 
shown unworthy of their support. 

Tlie writer of this address lias never been in 
public life ; he is therefore a stranger to the tor- 
tuous course of men who have made jiolitics 
their trade. Steadily pursuing- his own private 
avocations, he has not been deeply drawn into 
party collisions. Whenever his personyl or 
property rights have been violated, he however 
is, perhfips, as prompt as most others, to extnt 
his whole energies in the vindication of those 
rights. 

The public are already aware that Wilkins 
Updike has thought proper to make the State 
Debt of Rhode Island Ins great political hobby, 
and claims the votes of his District, as a reward 
for his zea'ous opposition to that claim. In this 
oppositum, false positions are taken, and false 
inferences are made. He has slandered all who 
■wore in public life from 17'Jl to J8i!0, as an "un- 
principled band of politician.-," and all who were 
holders of Stale Notes, an "unprincipled knot of 
speculators," '-instead of honest creditors." In 
addition, he says "the whole subject has been a 
fraud, from beginning to end — a stupendous 
fraud;" and James Burrill and Charles Lippilt 
are, amongst others, specilically named as the 
guilty actors. The present holders of State 
Notes are assailed as "vultin-es who gyrate over 
our little State, to gorge themselves on the fetid 
carcass of this State debt,' and that former 
"rniccess in this plundering process, had tempted 
the present petitioners to try their hand at the 
game." 

In reply to these falsehoods, we shall substi- 
tute truth. If we are severe on the author of 
such calumny, he has no cause of complaint. — 
ft is only tlie turmtta, his own xveapons on him- 
self; the carriji7}fr kis poisoned chalice back to his 
own lips ; for it is intended to bring home to 



him his falsehoods and wickedness, and probe 
his character to the bottom. It will first be 
shown by incontrovertible evidence, that from 
political considn-afions (done, he is unwnrthy of 
th(! support of the elef^tors of the State of Rhode 
Island. What has been the political life of iMr. 
Updike ? Has he been true and consistent on 
any political principle? Has he been true to 
any political party ? It is known full well to 
every man, that he lias not. So frequent have 
been his political somersets, that all have feared 
to trust him with office. 

In a " Review of his Address to the Electors 
of the Western Congressional District," written 
and published there in March last, will be seen 
Uie following, as his political history: 

"Wilkins Updike was formerly a Federalist. 
When the Republican party succeeded in ob- 
taining the political power in Rhode Island, ho 
lett the ranks of the defeated, and, as he has al- 
ways done, united with the successful hosts. 

" The year that Dutee J. Pearce was elected 
Representative to Congress, Mr. Updike was 
nominated by the Republican party for Attorney 
General. 

" The Federalists, the same year, made no 
nomination as a party, but a few of the friends 
of General A. C. Greene, now Senator, held an 
informal meeting in Kent county, and nomina- 
ted hun for Attorney General in opposition to 
Mr Updike. 

'•Gen. Greene, under his own hand, publicly 
declined being considered a candidate; yet, with 
every thing in his favor, the people of Rhotio 
Island had such an estimate of the integrity ami 
ability of Air. Updike, that he was defeated by 
an over-vhelming majority, and Greene elected. 
"Updike then turned Federalist again, and 
was the tiuthor of the famous 'Cart-Wheel 
Pamphlet,' a gross tissue of falsehoods from be- 
ginning to end. 

"In J828 or 29, he became a 'Jackson man,' 
and alter the elevation of the 'General ' to the 
Presidency, was rewarded by him with tin of- 
fice, almost the only one he ever succeeded in 
oht lining. 

"For about 12 years, during the administra- 
tions of Jackson and Van Buren, lie continued 
a modem Democrat, dyed in the wool, and in 
the mean time was the Loco candidate for Rep- 
resentative to Congress, against Dutee J. Pearce, 
then Whig; and was badly beaten. 



" Just previous to, or about the time of Har- 
rif?on's election, ever true to tlie ^ tknr pfople,'' 
on tlie full swelling tiilc of Whig victory, he 
came floating in, wool- washed, an out-and-out 
Whig ! ! 

" Having every reason to think that 'Clay' 
■would he elected, I presume he supported him, 
and again, I suppose, stands ready to go or come 
with the current. 

" This has been Wilkins Updike's political 
consistency, and these are his claims to be a 
Whig." 

The " Review " very properly places Mr Up- 
dike with the Northern " Dough-faces ;" and 
who can controvert that opinion? He has been 
through life "a soldier of fortune," changing his 
politics as often as his Inien. Southern men 
boast that when they tvant a Northern vote,_ it is 
in the market, ready for sale. Mr. Ujjdike is 
exactly their man ; his whole life has demon- 
strated that he is ready for a hii!. He Avill swal- 
low the first bait thrown out ; he will never wait 
Jiigifling for a higher price. A gentleman of 
liie Western District, a strong Whig, and who 
lias labored much in the Whig cause — one who 
then resided near the late Hon. E. R- Potter, 
when in a familiar conversation with that gen- 
tleman, said to him, " Mr. Updike is saying haiil 
things of you, on every possible occasion." Mr. 
Potter, in reply, said, " What of that ? When I 
want to use Ivm, I can have him, as easy as turn 
my hand." That meant, he could whip him in, 
at his own good pleasure. Mr. Potter knew 
"cwn/ hicli" of Wilkins Updike, and knew pre- 
cisely what office, or how many stripes, would 
keep him steadily pulling in the traces. 

As another reason, showing the unfitness of 
Mr. Updike to represent this Slate in Congress, 
Jiis improvident course in our State Legislature, 
can be taken in full proof. The selfish princi- 
ples which controled the whole of his political 
action through life, has led him into errors inju- 
rious to the State. In 1844, when the claim of 
Mary B. Allen was presented to the House of 
Jlepresentatives, asking for the payment of her 
State Note, it was mot by Wilkins Updike with 
unqualified denials of any such claim existing 
n gainst the State. These denials have since 
been met, and proved to have been false in every 
port. These denials and the consequent action 
of the House, have already cost the State more 
than $2,000, and the State, beyond all contro- 
versy, will yet have to redeem her State Notes, 
amounting to about $100,000. Notes issued by 
order of her own Legislature, and executed by 
licr own 'J'reasurer. Notes, again and again 
recognized and confirmed by her subsequent and 
frequent legislation. But for Mr. Updike's op- 
position, arising either from his wickedness or 
iiis ignoraucc — we care not whicii — no doubt 



exists that these claims would even now rest 
silently and quietly in the hands of the honest 
creditors of the State, by whom they arc now 
hold. The apprehensions of the holders of 
these Notes were aroused by Updike's false 
slalemenls in relation to their validity. Tiiey 
have since continued to press the Legislature 
for payment. The honor and dignity of the 
State will demand of her constituted authorities 
the Acts necessary to restore her doubtful credit, 
sufl^ering under a partial repudiation. 

Another evil has resulted against the State, 
from the improvident course taken by Wilkins 
Updike. Jn 1845, the holders of State Notes 
were extremely anxious to |)resent the House of 
Representatives the evidence in sHi)port of tlieir 
claims. Tlie agent of the Petitioners at the 
January session, by great labor and much ex- 
pense, had prevailed on many holders of these 
Notes, to give one third part of the amount to 
the Insane Hospital, if they could be heard at 
that session. This proposition was made to the 
Committee in writing, asking that it be made a 
part of their report. The hearing was defeated 
by Wilkins Updike, and the proposition was 
consequently withdrawn. The final result will 
be, the State will have to pay the whole debt, 
and the Insane Hospital be rohhtd of a most 
liberal contribution — some $30,000 — by the acts 
of Wilkins Updike, both on Committee and as 
a member of the House. 

These facts are as volumes against Wilkins 
Updike, fully showing that he is unfit to repre- 
sent the interests of the State, either at homo 
or at Washington ; and also showing that from 
his improvidence ho has been a dead weiglit on 
the State, a dead weight to the political parties, 
with which in all his mutations he has at five 
diffcrenl times been associated, and which he has 
ai five different times deserted. 

It will also be shown that for divers other 
reasons Wilkins Updike is totally disqualified 
to serve the State as the Representative to the 
Congress of the United States, viz : Mr. Updike 
is totally ignorant of the business wants of busi- 
ness men. A chain of fortuitous circumstances 
threw into his lap the means by which he lived, 
and from early manhood to the present time, he 
could at no period have sustained his position 
in society from his own native energies, unaid- 
ed by extraneous means. How unfit therefore 
is he to advocate and protect the interests of the 
laboring and industrial classes, who are the true 
Nobility of the State ? He is not of them or 
with them. His life has been that of a Trading 
Politician, watfching the signs of the times, 
and if possible, to be out, at the death of one 
party, and in, the early advotate of that coming 
into])ower. Of all the evils on our nation, none 
arc so fatal, as those brought upon us by Tea- 



DiN-G PoMTiCfAKS. Totally improvulent, unfit 
to iiinnaoo their own private transactions, tli(;y 
{)«siinie to lio the only safe agents to direct tlio 
nieasiires which arc vitally important to the 
property ami lives of a great coinniunity. 'J'liey 
aro a greater Curse upon the Country tiian War, 
Pestilence and Famine united — these have an 
end — but the fatal results of political intrigue 
are lasting as time ; and like tlie Upas of the 
East, poisons all who conio within the reach of 
its pestilential iiillticiice. 

Mr. Updike has not the cnpacious and weli 
tritlncil mind to qualify liim for Representalivo 
to Congress. IJis education and pursuits arc 
purely selfish, and fitted only for tiie peculiar" 
course in which he has been engaged. His 
practice in obscure Justice Courts lias perfected 
iiim in all the little and low slang of common 
blackguardism, and no man has tlie true Bil- 
lingsgate style more at his linger's ends. But 
never — no, never — did a. pure idea, a lojlij seidi- 
mait, or n tvcll diffcsled and logiad argument 
pass his lips. In his intercourse with men, iie 
plays the part of a light-minded Bulfoon. In 
his politics he assumes the same character, 
united with that of a heartless Demagogue ; and 
Jiis wiiole life givi\s full evidence of want of 
fixed principles. His small wit is the result of 
daily and studied effort, but never impulsive, 
keen and electrical. His manner is well de- 
ecriUcd by Hamlet, as a " robustious pcrriwig- 
pated fellow," who " tears a passion to tatters, 
to very rags, to split the ears of the groundlings." 
"I would have such a fellow whipped for o'er- 
doinsr Termagant ; it out.-herods Herod." 

VVilkins Updike lias not the pln/siad energy 
to perform the arduous duties consequent to his 
position, should he be elected a Representative 
to Congress. He is laboring under paEMATuriF. 
()i,n Age. Q,nestions of deep interest to indi- 
viduals and the public, will be presented in the 
li;iUs of the General Government. In the con- 
flicts wjiich will there unavoidably occur, Mr. 
Updike is both cor|)o rally and mentally incom- 
petent to protect the interest of his State. He 
is wanting in habits of close industry, and 
method of investigation, so necessary to effect 
conclusive and favorable results. On one great 
question deeply affecting the property of this 
State, namely, the claims against the General 
(Jovernment for more than .S''"'00,()()0, due us for 
French spcdiations, nearly Fijiy 3'ears since, no 
man can be less cpialilied to serve the State. 
11k is himself a Rici-uniATOR. Should he advo- 
cate the payment, by the United States, of tiiis 
debt, his own argument will be tiirown in his 
teeth. He will be told, '■'the statute of limita- 
tions has SKVF..N TIMES anuihUateil these claims ; 
thejf are again and again Dead in Law, and it 
is iotaHi/ impossible lo REStsciTAiE tlnmy 



Southern and Western men will say to iiim, go 
home and pay that sacred del»t, your revolution- 
ary Notes, wiiicli you have repudiated, before 
you come here demanding payment from the 
United States. 'J'iiis and lliis alone is of suffic- 
ient magnitude to disqualify Wilkins Updike 
for the appointment to the olllce he so much de- 
sires. 

Wilkins Updike's canvass is believed to be 
the only one, from the formation of the general 
Confederation of the Slates in 1775 to the pre- 
sent time, lb'17, a ])eriod of sevtnly-lwo years, 
when in this State the advocate of any candidate 
in pushing his claims, ever tiiought proper to 
ohlain certiflca'es that the caudidaie was not im- 
peachable in relation to Temperanre. Pending 
the canvass in March last, certificates were pub- 
lished in favor of Wilicins Updike, stating, "that 
in proceedings in Town Meetings" and also 
" when in the Legislature," he had " supported 
the Temperance cause." Mr. Updike, over his 
own .signature, says the same thing of himself, 
" except wiiere I have been professionally em- 
ployed." Willi great prudence the signers of 
the certificates avoided saying anything relative 
to his practical Temperance, or reciting as a fact 
tliat he had or had not, signed the Temperance 
Pledge; or whether sub:;e<pient charges of vio- 
lation of its binding conditions were made, and 
by him defended on the ground that the Pledge 
was made in the County of Washington, and 
therefore not operative for a breach in the 
County of Providence. If these short hints are 
conformable to the facts in relation to Mr. Up- 
dike's Temperance, his versatility of character 
is fully demonstrated; and tlie public are here- 
by cautioned in voting for him, /o reynetnber, iha.t 
his ])resent professions on Rhode Island Politics 
may in like manner be changed on passing State 
lines, and the declaration made by him here, be 
Jlcpudialtd in the diflerent States he passes in 
his journey to Washington, and when there, a 
Code entirely new be by him set up under Ex- 
ecutive InflueiVce, and if HIaule Island com- 
plains she will he tauntinslij told, hold your peace, 
I am withoxd the jurisdiction of your State. I beg 
of the Electors of the western district to well 
weigh these {"cw hints thus thrown out for their 
consideration, and let their vote be given with 
great care ; for it can and has been shown that 
with Wilkins Updike there is a total want of 
fixed principles. Office, as a means of living, 
has been his constant aim, although none has 
been given him, except those of a minor char- 
acter ; but to obtain even that he is and has 
been unscrupulous in his means. Abuse 

AGAINST THE LIVING, (ScC JVotc A,) SLANOF.R 

AGAINST THE DEAD, (See J\'ote B,) POLITI- 
CAL MUTATIONS AND PREVARICATION FALSF, 

STATEMENTS IN RELATION TO MEN AND THINGS, 







!See jVote Cj — are ready at his camrnand, 
and are all retailed in all places, from his Bar- 
room associatio7is to tiie Halls of Stale Legisla- 
tion. If he can by these means abuse and mis- 
lead the public mind, thereby forestal pnblie 
opinion, alid secure oroiitain a single vote, indi- 
vidu:il character has no security, tlie property 
of the widow and the orphan are alike sacrificed 
to his bass and selftsh ambition- Such is tha 
character of Wilkins Updike. If the Whig 
Electors of the western district return him as 
Iheir Represent»live to Congress, their mouths 
should be shut and their tongues forever silenced 
ao'ainst the present administration, and never 
more be it said, that \vith them, inferiority of 
talent and baseness of purpose, are and have 
been the standing recommendations for appoint- 
ment to otfices ot' honor and trust. 

The whig electors cannot have forgotten that 
in days gone by. Rhode Island was represen'ed 
in the Congress ofthe United Stales by a Champ- 
}in, a Burrill, a Hunter, a Burges — men whose 
commanding talents and stern integrity gave a 
dignity to our little State — men who never 
varied from the straiglit path of duty when her 
interests or her reputation were threatened or 
assailed. Will she now jeopardise those inte- 
rests, and tarnish the bright lustre of her name, 
by the appoir>tment of Wilkins Updike.'' For 
the reputation of the State, we trust not. But 
slio\ild she, forgetful of her Fame and regardless 
of lier Ititerests, do this, we can only say " Look 
here on this picture, and on this." 

Thus far we have reviewed the character of 
Wilkins Updike politically ; our remarks now 
will relate to our own wrongs- as Creditors of 
t,be State, and to his proceedings and object in 
opposing the Registered Slate Debt. In doing 
this we shall not go into the detail of the Acts 
hy which the debt was created, and subsequently 
again and again recognised and confirmed, fur- 
ther than to shov,' the improper manner in v/hich 
it has been opposed, and the origin of the per- 
sonalities which have become a part of its his- 
tory. We shall exjiose Updike's falsehoods and 
iniquities, for his wicked course has cut him off 
fiom all lenity in this investigation. 

At llie January Session, 1844, a resolution 
was offered for the payment of a State Note, 
held by Mary B. Allen, of Smithfield, issued to 
Ephraim Hart, under a special Act of Assembly 
passed June, 1819. Alter much debate, Mr. 
Randolph moved as a substitute that a Commit- 
tee be appointed to investigate the whole claims 
against the State. Boih these were opposed by 
Wilkins Updike at great length, and at the close 
his speech he moved that the resolution lie on 
the table ; and it was so voted. These circum- 
stances awukened those Avho were holders of 
State Securities. The petiiion of Charles Lip- 



jjitt and others was presenteu. That petrtior? 
was respectful in its phraseology, and only ask- 
ed an investigation of their claims. This peti- 
tion was met at the threshold by Wilkins Updike, 
Blotions to lie on the table — motions of postpone- 
ment, were successively made,and after lengthy 
speeches made by him day after day ag-ainstthe 
petition on its merits, (and to which no rejdy 
was permitted us,) it was referred to a Commit- 
tee, of which Mr. Updike was a member, and to 
report at the next Session of the Assembly. 

Mr. Updike's speeches were made up of broad 
assertions and wholesale declarations, unsup- 
ported by any proof, m which he not only denied 
the indebtedness of the State, but charged on 
the claimants acts, which if true, were dishonor- 
able to themselves. He said "the State had 
never assumed the debt, and had done no act by 
which to make the State liable:" "Whenever 
the General Assembly had enquired into this 
inatter, they were satisfied it was not their debt :" 
" The Certificates themselves do not state any 
obligation on the part of the Statr- to pay them :" 
(See j\ule D, for a relnlalion of this statement.) 
" Gentlemen are in error when they say that the 
appro[»riatioiis formerly made by the General 
Assembly M^ere to pay for this debt." He allu- 
ded to Mr. Potter and Mr. Hazard who always 
guarded the Treasury of this State, and stood 
over it with flaming swords ! " Did they ever 
reconuDend the purchase of any of the Certifi- 
cates?" Re enumerated the distinguished men 
" who had always denied this debt:" "He had 
seen with his own eyes Col. Crary, of Newport, 
in his seat opposing these claims." "There 
was also Mr. Burrill, Mr. Potter, Mr. Hazard, 
Col. Sherburne, Welcome Arnold and many 
others who controlled the action of the Legisla- 
ture; who ever heard of their advocating these 
claims .''" In these speeches his propensity for 
slander, as his most ready weapon was mani- 
fested, and uncalled for imputations of intended 
fraud were made against the creditors of the 
State. Mr. Updike said, " This matter hnd been 
brouglit up from time to time in tne General 
Assembly from one generation to another, and 
efforts have been made by the hohies of these 
Certificates to have them paid. WMienever the 
General Assembly had inquired into the matter 
they were satisfied that it was not their debt. 
JVhen all the members who had made such inquiries 
were dead, or ovt of the Home, then a new effort 
xoas made, and the House were startled into the 
idea that they ought to do soaiethitig about this 
debt." 

Facts not known at this period of our history, 
have since been told us, which develope the 
original turpitude of Mr. Updike's opposition. 
He has said — and if he dare deny it we pledge 
ourselves to the proof — " that at the commence- 



fweni of Ihe conlrovctsx), both himself and Dottor 
Richmond had Utile knoivlcdgc of the fads in re- 
lation to these claims." If so, wliy did lie then 
make hisstroii<r stanj against them, with state- 
ments fabricated and uttered to procure their de- 
feat ? — Siate.iTients since proved b\j the records of 
the State to have been totally false in every part. 
Mr. Updike was tlien in official station — a mem- 
ber of the General Assembiy — with the oath of 
God upon him, faithfully to execute the liigh du- 
ties of that station. But regardless of those 
duties, for purposes best known to himself, he 
labored day after day,. with all the sophistry of 
argument, to defeat an inquiry into securities 
justly due to citizens of the State, ije then igno- 
rant of the conditions on wliicii they were issued 
and subsequently confirmed by frequent legisla- 
tion. An opposition thus based on a false state- 
ment of facts, demonstrates a base, wanlon, and 
wicked exercise of official duties and official poiver ; 
a recklessness of Ihe rights andproper'y oj' others. 
Whatever degree of wickedness there might 
have been in the original opposition in J 844, 
greater, far greater was the iniquity and the 
crime in the subsequent opposition, after the 
Acts and Resolutions of Assembly, on which 
the securities weie based, and subsequently rati- 
fied and confirmed — as also the appropriation for 
payment of interest, and the appropriations for 
the redemption of nearly three-tburihs of all se- 
curities issued — had been in detail presented him 
on Committee, in JS45, fully proving every posi- 
tion taken by him' in 1844, to have been une- 
quivocally ftlse. 

One year passed away in the revolution of 
time, the petitioners not being permitted to an- 
swer and refute the false statements made 
against them- Mr. Updike, as a member of the 
House, and also of the Committee, was thereby 
enabled, at his own pleasure, to misrepresent us 
in both positions. He could delay a report by 
the Committee, and tliereby prevent an exposi- 
tion of the Acts of Assembly which created and 
confirmed the indebtedness of the State. 

Thus defeated, all the impntnfions egainst us 
were widely circulated, and (^iiSlir. opinion thus 
misled ; our only resource was at the expense of 
our pocket, and through the public press to com- 
bat prejudices which were gaining public favor, 
1845, March 6th, we published at much lengh 
the prominent facts in relation to this subject; 
the whole founded on the Acts of the Legisla- 
ture from 1775 to 1820 ; disproving every state- 
ment of Mr. Updike in 1844, and proving to 
every candid man tlie indebtedness of theSt:ite. 
Notwithstanding Mr. Updike had at the outset, 
in 1844, made charges which, if true, would es- 
tablish fraudulent intentions against us, and had 
labored at all times and in ali [places, by fiilse 
representationb', to invalidate our claims, we 



were guarded in our reply, and observed greiil 
forbearance in our remarks relative to him. In 
the publication above alluded to, and subse- 
quent to his charges, we only said, "We firmly 
believe that ]\Ir. Updike, in his opposition to our 
petition, has manifested a zeal beyond discre- 
tion, having relied for his support on a state- 
ment of facts fully disproved by the recorded 
Acts of the Legislature." 

"We had good hopes that the clear evidencfi 
presented him in Committee on this subject, 
would have drawn from him a retraction of his 
position-, however hard is the task of retracting 
what we have advocated with great apparent 
feeling. Still sut^h retraction is the obtaining 
the greatest victory — a victory over ourselves; 
for it is strictly true, that it requires more har- 
dihood to persevere in wrong, than moral cour- 
age to change from wrong to right." 

One year more passed, from January, 1845, 
to January, 184(i, and no hearing on the simple 
request for an inquiry into the subject petitioned 
for, had been permitted. At the latter part of 
this sessiei), a brief recital of the Acts was, by 
consent, presented by us before the House, when 
on motion of a member, it was voted " that the 
House proceed no further in the hearing of pri- 
vate petitions during the present session." Mr. 
Updike did not now represent his town, but 
hung on the skirts of the Assembly as a lobby 
member. He volunteered himself in that capa- 
city before the House, and was refused. He 
next tried the Senate, with better success, and 
was permitted to address them. But such an 
address! It was a hard hit to the cause he ad- 
vocated, and as will be shown, a harder hi', 
against himself We will now only refer to his 
gross misrepresentation against the agent of the 
fietitionei-s, and subsequently review his remarks 
respecting the late Hon. Elisha R. Potter, in 
connection with the payment made to Ephraini 
Hart. 

It was well known to Mr. Updike, that in the 
remarks of the agent of the petitioners, wlien 
he was permitted but briefly to address the 
House of Representatives, it was stated, and he 
begged the House to remember, that upon 
his honor as a man, he had never seen one act 
or resolution of the General Assembly, which 
invalidated their claims. Three days after, Mr 
Updike, in his Lobby speech, with all his vehe- 
mence of manner, and at the highest pilch of 
his voice, charged "//i«.' the agent of thejjclitiun- 
ers had been guilty of gross misnprescnlalion," 
for he had ^^r.autioushj, purposely ami designedly'" 
kept back from the knowf dge of the House the 
Act of Assembly of June, 17it], "well knowing 
that that Act was fatal to his cause." This 
speech was entirely exparte, no notice having 
been given the petilio!)crs, and by mere acci- 



8 



dent their afrent entered the Senate chnmber 
after much of it was delivered. Notwithstand- 
ing all this, and notwithstanding the charges so 
prejudicial to the petitioners, it waa with great 
difficulty that we were permitted a personal ex- 
planation of the personal allegations, even with 
an assurance that five n>inutea only should be 
required. We then presented his Excellency, 
Gov. Jackson, the Providence Journal of March 
(ith, 1845, published nearly one year before, and 
read as follows : " We find nothing further on 
record in relation to these claims, until the year 
179J, the second year of the administration of 
Gov. Arthur Fenner. At the June session, page 
24, an act passed ' Rkviving claims partly 
PAID,'" and gave extracts from the preamble, 
explanatory of the objects of this Act. We 
then stated, "such was onr cfm<io/i, such our 
purpose,and such our design" — proving his foid 
imputation a direct and unqualijied falsehood ; 
and showing that we had, at great expense, pro- 
mulgated this Act — that we had placed it before 
the citizens of the State, and before the Legis- 
lature of the State, the whole of which was 
within Mr. Updike's knowledge. 

These charges of base and false calumny, 
would have justified the petitioners in any de- 
gree of severity, in any reply or explanation at 
any future time ; but in the spirit of forbear- 
ance, in their petition to the General Assembly, 
presented the May following, in recapitulating 
the wholesale denials in Mr. Updike's speeches, 
they only only say, "these statements are dis- 
proved by the Acts and Resolutions of the Gen- 
eral Assembly;" "they are falsified by the inte- 
rest payment of $9,547 ;" "they are aiso demon- 
stratively disproved by the purchases from 1803 
to J 820 inclusive." Could we have said less, 
goaded as we were by false and wicked impu- 
tations against us personally, and as creditors of 
the State, whose claims were thus opposed by a 
base man for base purposes ? That his acts, 
from first to last, both when a member of the 
House and when on Committee, have been 
strictly partisan, is well known to the Assembly 
and to the electors of the State. The gross 
slander against all who have favored the claims, 
and all who have held or now hold securities, is 
also well known. It may be asked, what trans- 
gression of ours has enkindled the ire of Wil- 
kins Updike against us ? We answer, we pe- 
titioned the General Assembly, January, 1844, 

in respectful language, to grant us a hearing in 
relation to the indebtedness of the State. "The 

very head and front of "our offending, hath this 
extent — no more." 

• Wc will now expose another falsehood, stated 

in his lobby-speech, in 184G. Mr. Updike, in 
his denials of the indebtedness of the State, 
proceeded to say that "not a dollar was duo on 



the pretended State securities, and that ua ap^ 
propriations had ever been made for the purchase 
of any of them." He was asked "what he had 
to say respecting the j^ayments to Ephraim 
Hart?" He replied, "he knew all about that 
transaction;" and then stated that "Ephraim 
Hart came before the General Assembly, asking 
payment of State securities held by him." "Mr. 
Potter, in his place, denied, as he had always 
done, that any obligations on that paper existed 
against the State. He had always opposed any 
payment on the pretended debt, and it was an 
indignity to the House .for that man to come 
here with a claim the State did not owe." "The 
House by acclamation voted down the applica- 
tion." " The next year Hart came again, with 
letters to Mr. Hazard and Mr. Potter, from Mr. 
Livingston and other distinguished men in New 
York, saying that Mr. Hart had formerly been a 
(Jew) Broker of much property and high stand- 
ing ; that in the changes of business he had now 
become very poor. He was now over seventy 
years old, and had no means of supporting him- 
self, and they asked of Mr, Potter and Mr. Haz- 
ard their aid in the General Assembly to obtain 
for Mr. Hart the payment of his securities." — 
Mr. Updike then said, " Mr. Potter was moved 
by the poverty-stricken appearance of Mr. Hart, 
and with tears in his eyes, he begged the House 
to redeem this paper, and let that poor old man 
go home in possession of means to support him- 
self." Such was Mr. Updike's statement, and 
the records of the State will prove it to be uw- 

TR0E. 

Mr. Hart came before the Legislature in the 
years 1819 and 1820, with three separate peti- 
tions. The prayer of all of them was granted, 
at the session when presented. He never came 
here asking, and was turned away empty hand- 
ed. June session, 1819, he petitioned for re- 
newal of 29 certificates, amounting to $3709.85, 
which had lain in the General Treasurer's office 
since 1795, under suspicion of having been ob- 
tained by fraud. The petition was referred to 
Henry Bowen, Secretary of State, and T. G. 
Pitman, General Treasurer. They reported that 
the suspicion was unfounded, and an Act passed 
directing the General Treasurer to issue new 
securities to Mr. Hart. October session, 1819, 
he petitioned to have his interest paid on these 
securities, and an Act passed directing the Gen- 
eral Treasurer to pay as asked for, June ses- 
sion, 1820, Mr. Hart came with .$3127.69, peti- 
tioning for payment. An Act passed to pur- 
chase this sum of him, at sixty-six cents on the 
dollar, and directing the General Treasurer to 
make tiie payment. These facts are all matters 
of record in the Schedules. The ground of claim 
in the petition was, that the State had ordered 
the Trcaswcr to issue the original paper, and 



that he, Hart, had bought it in open market. Do 
not these statements iully show that VVil kins 
Updike v/as either ionorant of the true facts, or 
wilfully jnisstited them. 

These statements of Mr. Updike plnce him- 
self and Mr. Po ter in positions antagonist to 
each other. If Mr. Potter had always opposed 
the paymi'nt of State Securities, and had always 
denied that they were due from the State, by 
■what rigiit did he snffer his feeling-s to trinmph 
over his sense of jiisticp. and abstract from the 
State Treasury over $Q,OuO, to purchase claims 
not valid aS'ii"*^^ the Stati^ — to purchase them 
of a Jew Broker, the business of whoso life had 
been to manage the rise and fall of stocks, and 
thereby to sport with a kind of property gene- 
rally left for tiie support and maintenance of the 
widow and tiie orphan; and at the same time. 
if ihat widow and that orpiian had presented 
Securities issued under the same authority, they 
would have been told, we owe you nothing. 
Mr Potter had good right to exercise his sympa- 
thy for a man both old and poor, and to relieve 
his wants from his own ample fortune ; but he 
had no right to abstract from the State Treasury, 
money placed there by direct dry Taxation, 
drawn from the limited means of the hard work- 
ing farmers, to pay what was not due to a J^Tew 
York pauper, ihrust 07i our T'rensitry hy Letters 
from distinguished men, to Mr. Potter and Mr. 
Hazard. In 1844 we were told by Mr. U|)dike 
that *' Mr. Potter and Mr. Hazard always guard- 
ed the Treasury of this State, and stood at the 
door with Jlaming sicords." If they have been 
guilty of the cbarijes here made, wonderfully 
indeed have these swords become tarnished, 
and more wonderfully still have their edge 
been blunted. Tanxu 15 recited nnth ease and 
facility, its bearings and resul's are seen intui- 
tively. Falseikiod requires mentid exertion, and 
its consequences and effects are lost sight of, in the 
study to give it the semblance of Truth. Could 
Mr. Updike have seen the magnitude of this 
charge against Mr. Potter, he would never have 
uttered it. That charge must stand against Mr. 
Updike as one of unqualified falseliood, or n^^xusi 
Mr. Potter as unqualified plunder oj the 2'rea- 
sury. 

These suggestions would seem to place the 
sons of Mr. Potter in a position singularlv deli- 
cate. They stand midway between Mr. Updike 
and their father. To justify thpir father ihey 
must charge upon Updike unqualified falsehood. 
If they justify Updike, the charge of plunder 
upon the Treasury stands sustained against 
their father. Which of these charges are they 
willing should be sustained, and pass before the 
people of the State ? The people can only 
judge by the part they shall take in the ap- 
^ proaching election ; for if they support Updike, 



they support the charges made by him. That 
Mr. Potter has been falsely charged is proved 
by the official records. It is fully proved that 
Hart was never defeated in one application be- 
fore the Assembly. All the statements of Mr. 
Potter's denials of the debt made by Mr. Updike 
are therefore sheer fabrication. That Mr. Pot- 
ter aided in the purchase of Hart's Securities 
we have no doubt, but it was in the furtherance 
of public justice, to purchase a valid debt against 
the State. That Mr. Potter knew the old State 
debt justly due, we hiive no doubt; and as the 
first Act which passed the General Assembly 
after the purchase of Hart's paper, was to appro- 
priate §10,000 for the purchase of the Registeied 
Slide Dehl, who doubts that the act was support- 
ed by Mr. Potter. We give the following in 
aid of our opinion. 

William Sheldon says, (and we speak by 
auth-)rity and by his permission,) that he was in 
the House of Representatives the latter part of 
Mr. Potter's being a member there, and heard 
him there say, " He wished we would contrive 
some way to "pay off the old State debt, and he 
wished the people would subject themselves to 
a State Tax to pay it off." Who doubts what 
William Sheldon says ? Was his word ever 
doubted ''' When he stated a fact, was it ever 
said of him, by any living man, "that is 
one of Sheldon's lies'?" When any one im- 
peaches the veracity of Wm. Sheldon, well may 
we say that truth has depaned from our land. 

The light minded infirmity of Wiikins Up- 
dike is manifested even in matters o^' grave 
character. His besetting sm of imbecile wit, at 
the expense of Truth ; his studied effort to turn 
all subjects to ridicule in his ordinary transac- 
tions, has perverted his views on important sub- 
jects, and become predominant in every situation 
he may by chance occupy. No position in which 
he can be placed will ever bring home to his 
mind the importance of Truth, or his sacred ob- 
ligations to respect the rights or property of 
others. 

Passing over all the Acts vhich created the 
Debt, the" payment of the Interest, and the ap- 
propriatii.ns of 1803, 1804, 1807, and 1820, by 
which nearly three fourths of the whole debt 
was redeemed, we come down to the doings of 
tiie Assembly of a more recent date, viz: 1826, 
1828, and 1840, when speci-<l references were 
made of this subject to Committees, with instruc- 
tions 10 report " the best means for the giadual 
extinction of the Slate Debt." Every such Com- 
mittee has confirmed the indebtedness, and we 
have Letters stating that fact from the Hon. 
Nathaniel Bullock, Hon. Joseph Child, and 
Zachariah Allen, Esq., as also the verbal state- 
ment of the Hon. Henry Y. Cranston, all of 
whom served on those Committees. In 1845, 



Hon. Edward W. Lawton and Shubael Hutch- 
ins, Esq., were on Committee with Wilkins Up- 
dike upon the validity of these claims ; here 
Updike alone denied the claim as just. !n 1846 
Hon. Samuel Dexter, the Hon. John H. Weeden, 
Alfred Bosworthand Jesse S. Tourtellot, Esq'rs, 
were on the Comuiittee with Wilkins Updike, 
on the same subject. We have Letters from 
members sayinir, "</ie members thereof, with the 
exception of Mr. Updike, ivere unanimous injavor 
oj the validity of the clnims.'''' Cut what is still 
more, this same Committee, (four of whom were 
or had been in practice at the Bar.) employed 
Elisha R. Potter as counsel for the State, to iii- 
■ vestinfate the whole subject, and aid the State 
in a defence against the creditors, if any defence 
could be set up; and what wqs the result? 
Why, no defence could be found by the Counsel 
of the State, or by the Coaunittee, although the 
claims had been presented and advocated only 
by a private citizen, wlio had never read gi page 
of Common Law in all his life, or a Statute atten- 
tively, unless those found in relation to these 
Claims. 

We here say confidently, that evenj man vho 
has at any time, officially examined our Securities 
and the Acts of Sssemhly on ivhich they were 
founded, ZL as satisfied of the indebtedness of the 
State, exceptinij: JVilkins Updike. We tun her 
s^y, that Mr. Updike has never presented evi- 
dence, that any man except himself, has at any 
time from 179.5 to 1847, attentively examined the 
State Les;islation on this subject, and then denied 
the debt as unquestionably due. 

We hive also other and high authority in sup- 
port of our claims, viz. the present and past legal 
advisers of the State. Hon. Dutee J. Pearce 
was Attorney General, and Thomas Pitman 
General Treasurer in 1819. They were on 
Committee and reported all the details of this 
Debt as it then stood. Thit report is a matter 
of record in the office of Secretary of State, to 
which all can have access. Hon. Albert C. 
Greene subsequently was Attorney General. 
In a conversation with Wilkins Updike, at New- 
port, during tlie last June Session, I am told by 
a gentleman who was present, thiit Gen. Greene 
said, " Mr. U|)dike you are altogether wrong on 
the State Debt; it is a sacred claim and the 
State is justly bound to pay it." During the 
same session, Joseph M. Blake, the present 
Attorney General, was in conversation with a 
gentleman on the subject of the State Debt. 
"Mr. Blake observe! thit some years since he 
had occasion to make inquiry into its validity, 
and amongst other sources he consulted Judge 
Childs of Portsmouth, and Nathaniel Bullock, 
Esq., of Bristol, both of whom he considered 
men of integrity, and also having much know- 
ledge of our State legislation ; that from the 



facts communicated by them, and from other 
sources, he had a full opinion that the claim 
was a valid one." Mr. Updike was present and 
said, ''Nathaniel Bullock knows nothing about 
this Debt, there is not a cent due from the 
State." Mr. Blake replied, " I do not believe 
that, and more, I do not believe Mr. Updike, 
that you think so." 

We ask. do the citizens of this State place 
more confidence in the declarations of Wilkins 
Updike, than in all the difl'erent Committees to 
whom the subject of the State Debt has been 
submitted — to the past and present Attorney 
Generals of the State — to the long list of revo- 
lutionary Patriots and Heroes who were of the 
Assembly which ordered the issue of the Secu- 
ties we now hold — who also ordered the payment 
of Interest on all — who ordered the several ap- 
propriations, purchasing nearly theree-fourths of 
the whole debt — and to the Commissioners of 
purchase under the different appropriations ? 
We again ask, who is entitled to your confi- 
dence, a Man ivho panders for office, or this 
galaxy of talents and integrity, against whom a 
slanderous word had never been uttered until 
1844, and then only by Wilkins Updike ? 

The agent of the petitioners, on the 22d of 
February, 1847, published a chronological state- 
ment of the advances of individuals, and other 
sources of liabilities, on ivhich the present in- 
debtedness of the State originated ; the whole 
of which was copied from the records in the 
office of the Secretary of State. 

On the QSd of February, he again published 
a detailed statement, taken from the same re- 
cords, fully proving that the State alone was re- 
sponsible f)r the whole payment of the out- 
standing Notes or securities. 

February 2Gtli, another communication was 
published, further demonstrating, beyond con- 
troversy, the indebtedness of the State. The 
evidence here was also taken from the recorded 
Acts of the Legislature. 

On the 5th and 25th of March, communica- 
tions and addresses were published on the State 
Debt, extracts from which we shall annex to 
this exposition, being a reprint of part of the 
March publications. These embody filets, as 
part of a liistory of the doings of the Legisla- 
ture in reference to these claims, from 1844 to 
1847, developing false statements made by Wil- 
kins U-pdikc, both in 1814 when a member of 
the House, and when he addressed the Senate 
as a lobby member — and also his partizan 
zeal, when on committee, in 1846 and 1847. — 
The communications unequivocally charge a- 
gainst him declarations of foul a.nd false 
CALUMNV against the most distinguished men of 
the State, who were in public life from 1791 to 



11 



18'-i0 ; and these charges are fully sustained by 
his written and published statement ever his 
own signature. 

In the publication of March 5th, certain im- 
lYlulnbk principles are laid down, defining the 
duties and obligatiois of members of Legisla- 
tures, and of Committees appointed by tliein — 
distmctly statinir what constitutes Corruption 
and Perjuni direct, and Corruption dir-cl, and 
Perjur}/ by implication ; showing how fi\r in the 
belief of the creditors o^'the State, these princi- 
ples are applicable to ihe official acts of VVil- 
kins U|)dike. 

Tiie publication of March 25th, places in 
parallel columns, extracts Irom VVilkins Up- 
dike's calumny, over his own name, against the 
late Hon. James Surrill and otiier distinguished 
men ; and also from his published Letter to 
Mrs. Ellenor BurriU Burgcs, daughter of Mr. 
Burrill, denying t;iat he ever said or did aught 
to injure the good name or reputation of her 
dead fathi^r. However many are the falsehoods 
heretofore charged upon Mr. Updike, this last 
in one feature exceeds all others in moral turpi- 
tude; that it is a falsehood Jul! i/ made, in a Let- 
ter addressed to a woman. 

We reprint the following extracts from an 
address to the Men of Rhode Island, who love 
Ho.NESTV and Truth, published in March last. 

We learn by the Providence Journnl, that 
Wilkins Updike addressed a political meeting 
in South Kingstown, on the 15th inst. on the 
subject of the State Debt. We ! Iso see by a 
printed address to the electors of the Western 
District, written hij himself, advocating the claims 
of the "Hon. VVilkins Updike," in which the 
services rendered the State by himself in oppo- 
sition to the "pretended State debt," authorises 
a call for their votes in his favor, as Represen- 
tative to the Congress of the United Slates. As 
that addri'ss refers by name to the undersigned, 
a reply is unquestionably expected and deman- 
ded. 

In a recently written article, published in the 
papers of both political parties, tlie undersigned 
has at length laid down the principles which 
should govern members of legislative bodies, 
and also of committees appointed by thetn for 
specific duties. He lias fully shown what con- 
stitutes Corruption and Perjun/ direct, and what 
constitutes Co>ruption direct and Perjunj by ini- 
plicalion. 'J he acts done, and the public decla- 
rations made by Mr. UpdiKe in his official posi- 
tions, were minutely canvassed and distinctly 
stated — demonstrating his departure from all the 
obligations of his official trust; and yet he has 
the hardihood to claim the support of the elec- 
tors of his district, for the very deeds which fix 
upon him the most damning disgrace. These 
positions are fully illustrated in the written ar- 



ticles above alluded to, and although it id yet 
fresh from the press, it may in this case be al- 
low.ihle to give it a reprint. 

"The petitioner^! have, as they think, justly 
complained of the appointment of Mr. Updike, 
[to a place on the committee appointed to ev- 
amine iheir claims, he not being a member of 
the House at the time,] he having thereby an 
official power to report to the House, and under 
no obligations of an oath, the facts on which a 
large Ciaim oC individuals against the State 
sliould be decided. His ^vhole feelings and his 
whole zeal'having been for years publicly volun- 
teered adverse to the claims, should have been 
conclusive against him as a fit person to so re- 
port as not to mislead public opinion. 

Each member of the Legislature is by his 
0A.TH OF OFFICE bouud to fixercise his official 
trusts, equally to protectthe interests of the State 
and the rights of individual citizens. He is 
bound with equal diligence to investigate private 
claims, and if justly due, to devise means for 
their proper liquidation, as he is to expose their 
error, and oppose the payment of such as hold 
no obligation against the State. In his legis- 
lative position, he stands midway between such 
parties, and with even justice to act as shall be 
proper to the rights of both. Any deviation 
from that straight-forward course, is both cor- 
ruption AND PERJURY. The Same obligations 
attach to commit ees of the House, appointed 
to investigate and report on any subject so com- 
mitted to them. It is equally criminal to with- 
hold/acts within their knowledge, as it is to report 
falsely. If individuals not of the House, are by 
the authority of the House put on Cowimittee, 
such individvals are bound by the same rules of 
action, and a report by such individual, untrue, 
either from facts intentionally misstated, or from 
facts known and withheld, subjects such indt- 
vidnal to a charge of corruption direct, and to a 
charge of perjury by implication. 

The opposition to the petitioners has been at- 
tempted more by imputations against the integ- 
rity of every member of the Legislature from 
1795 to 18'20; to every commissioner under the 
appropriations, and to every creditor of the State 
who lias received payments on these claims, 
than on adverse testimony to be found in the 
archives of the State. The manifest object is, 
thereby to divert attention from the substantial 
merits of honest claims and honest claimants. 
The more distinguished the individual who iH 
thus assailed, the more gross and malignant 
have been the charges by Mr. Updike against 
his reputation. The living and the d-ad are 
alike denounced. It is stated '■Hhat the ichole 
subject has been a fraud, a stupendous fraud, by 
an unprincipled band of politicians, and by an 
unprincipled knot of speculators,'''' ^'stimulated by 



atctt^onat appropriations^ Subsequently thejr 
are charged with first ^^speculating on the orj^i- 
nal holders" and tlien with "sptculatin^ on the 
State ;" and it is stated that by their ''weioJU of 
character and injluence, they had been successful 
171 this plundering process.^'' Accompanying these 
charges is published the names of those whom 
he says, are most deeply steeped in tiiis plunder 
of the Trensurjjy viz : Chailes Lippitt, Jlsher Rob- 
bins, James Burrill, A. ^ S. De.rl<r, D. L. Barnes 
and others. Subsequently, in a spetich before 
the House, all these charges were again and 
again reiterated, and if possible in more coarse 
and vulgar phraseology. In this debate, Mr. 
Burrill was more particularly held up as a dis- 
tinguished mark, deserving the condemnation 
and scorn of the House and the audience. Mr. 
Updike flourished above his head a paper, on 
which was stated the amount received by Mr. 
Burrill under each appropriation ; emphatical- 
ly stalig that Mr. BURK.H.r. HAD DABBLED 
IN THIS FRAUDULENT TRANSACTION. 
He was determined to leave his family his $100,- 
000; and where did he get it? His love of 
money had been his first object. Have it he 
must, and have it he would. (See JVote C.) In 
the course of the speech, ihe Hon. Wm. Hun- 
ter and the Hon. Tristam Burges received their 
full share of personal abuse. The assaults were 
rude and ungentlemanly — such as would flow 
from a coarse and grovellinGr mind. They were 
heard with disgust, mingled with contempt, by 
all, except those few who were of like grovel- 
ling character with the declaimer, and for their 
ears were they especially uttered. ToMr. Hun- 
ter there has been made a most humiliating 
apology, couched in language of deep regret 
for the unwarrantable assault — still that apology 
evidences the p nitence of a convicted calum- 
niator, rather than the open-hearted retraction 
of errors originating in less criminal causes. — 
For unprovoked assaults on the private charac- 
ter of the living, Mr. Updike can tender his 
apologies — but neither his base slanders, nor his 
apologies, will ever reach the blessed abodes of 
the illuj^trious dead, in their regions of bliss, in 
the high Heavens above. 

In this communication we have specifically 
stated the obligations of members of the House, 
and also of Committees, as regards the interests 
of the State and the rights of individuals. Mr. 
Updike, as we believe, has grossly violated the 
high official obligations imposed upon him in 
his late official station. We also believe that 
he did purposely pass over the act of June, 1797, 
ordering the interest payment on all notes here- 
tofore issued or those to be issued under this 
act — thai act being an important fact, proving a 
fidl acknowledgment by the Stale, against the 
State, that the notes issued in 1795 and 17V7 



and other acts supplementary thereto, were due 
from the Slate, and payable b]j the State, and the 
State alone. 

We further say, that we have, as we believe, 
good cause to charge upon Mr. Updike, thai the 
omission of this last fact, was knowingly, pur- 
posely and corruptly done ; for we well knoio, 
and ht dure not deny, that very shortly after the 
vote of the House, rejecting the petition on the 
State debt, he unequivocally boasted that he was 
fortunate in making his whole speech, without 
referring to the interest payment — for had he 
been compelled to state thatybtrf, it would have 
been one "/le could not have got over," that it 
was one that was unanswerable in favor of the 
petitioners. 

The instructions to the Committee under their 
appointment, January, 1846, were to report " all 
acts and proceedings" and "all other information 
relative to said debt." We have heretofore 
shown that it is " equally criminal to withhold 
facts known as it is to report falsely." We be- 
lieve that Wilkins Updike has knowingly and 
wickedly been guilty of violating both these ob- 
ligations. 

In conclusion we say, that sevf.n members 
have acted on Co nmittees from 1844 to 1847. 
That each member has spent days investigating 
the recorded testimony. That six (G)are affirm- 
ative, and Wilkins IJpdike alone (1) adverse. 
Are claims thus sustained lo be lightly passed 
over by the General Assembly ? 

JOHN W. RICHMOND, 

For the Petitioners. 

These charges have been before tlie public 
since March 5th, unanswered and uncontradict- 
ed, and only briefly alluded to as " vials of wrath 
and malice," in Mr. Updike's autobiography, 
over the signature of a "Citizen of Narragan- 
sett," and strange as it may seem, all the acts 
of corruption above demonstrated, have been 
done by one, who has assailed in the most vulgar 
language, every leading and distinguished citi- 
zen of the State of every Legislate e from 1791 
to 1820. The remark of Mr. Weeden, of the 
House, in January labt, was strictly true, '■^ that 
Mr. Updike had slandered every public man ivho 
had sujjicient leputation to be even known without 
the borders of his own State." 

For the abuse heaped on the character of the 
Hon. James Burrill, Mrs. Ellenor Burrill Burges 
has addressed a note to Mr. Updike, demanding 
an explanation. The reply of Mr. Updike can 
he seen in tlie Providence Journal of the 19th 
of March, The introductory remarks of Mrs. 
Burges to the Editor, will show the ])ronrnent 
points in the correspondence. We therefore 
copy them. 

•' To the Editor of the Journal. 

Sir, — You are requested to publish in your 



13 



paper, the following letter. It was written by 
Mr. Updike, in answer to one asking of him an 
explanation of llie unjustifiable charaes deroga- 
tory to tlie character of the Hon. James Burrill, 
made by him before the House of Kepresenta- 
tives of this State, at their last session. The 
charges were public; it is, therefore, proper that 
the denial should also be public, as the commu- 
nity are not more interested in the detraction 
than ill the vindication of a good name." 

In Mr. Updike's reply to Mrs. Burges he un- 
qualifiedly denies every charge of improper im- 
putations against Mr. Burrill. The following 
extracts from publications over his oum nnwe, 
fully prove against him a want of all honorable 
principles, and a total disregard for truth. 

HiSTORYOF TflE ALLEG- LETTER FROM WlLKlNS 

ED State Oebt, by Updike to Mrs. El- 

WiLKiNs Updike, lkkor Burrill Hur- 

DA.TED Kingston, ges, March 1, 1847. 
December 16, 1846. 

1. " Bui wiieii h shall 1. " I avow now, as 1 
be made to appear, that a!« ays liave done, that the 
the whole sul)ject has been iiifurination conveyed to 
a fra'id from Ije-ginning to you that I had slandered 
end, a stupendous fraud, tlie memory of your Hon. 
by an unpiincipled band of Father, in the del>ate in 
politicians, and has sine; the House of Represenla- 
been followed up by an un- tives, or any where else, 
principled knot of specula- is erroneous — wholly so — 
tors, stimulated hy occa- never was any th'ng fur- 
si on al appropriations," ther from the intentions of 
and that this was done hy my heart." 

" mere speculators instead 
of honest creditors," &c. 

2. " After these specu- 2. " His name and re- 
lators had become possess- collections of him I have 
ed of a sufficient amount, ever revered — and there 
the Legislature, through has arisen no ficcasion or 
the political combinations cause for any change." 

of influential men, have 
been pressed to make an 
appropriation, and they 
have spe ulated on the 
Slate, as they had upon 
the sellers. 



3. " Madnm let me as- 
sure you that as a Rhode 
Island man, I have always 
venerated the name and 
character of vour parent, 
and have uniformly spoken 
of the glory he has shed 
upon the reputation of the 
8laie. I feel llie same 
ah 1 am impressed with the 
pride now, and have al- 
ways stated the eame to 
you in person." 

4. " Observe also who 4. If I have done any 
Sield tliese notes as pur- wron^f, it was uninten- 
chasers and speculators, tiunal, and 1 am not con- 
viz: Messrs. Barnes, scious that any represon- 
Gibbs and Channing, Du tation has ever been made 



3. "The iate Charles 
Lippitl has figured in for- 
mer ap|jropriations as a 
speculeior to an amount 
o( !j^-2,590 7t 

AsherRobbins, 5,148 53 
James BuitIII, 867 ;:i9 

VVm. T. Miller, 2,841 17 
J. C. Jones, 3 200 25 

A, & S. Dexter, 3,478 60 



Wolfe, Fowler-, Uowen, by me wearing in itiy re- 
Hazard, Burrill, Scarle, spect the impressions made 
&c., the leading men in on you and others." 
the politics of the State, 
whose combined influence 
could change the political 
complexion of the State." 

6. " The previous spec- 5. " The circumstances 

ulalors had been so sue- that have arisen have given 

cessfid in this plundermg ine great pain, wi en I 

process^ that the present know that the impression 

petitioners have tried their made on you was evrone^ 

hand at the game." ous or distorted whencon- 

Veyed to you. If I cannot 

satisfy you of that I will 

adopt any other honorable 

coursse that will effect it." 

Mr. Burrill was a member of the Legislature 
when the act of June, 1797, was passed, direct- 
ing the issue of the securities undtr which we 
claim, as also the tv/o year's interest payment 
on all issued under the acts both of 17!)5 and 
1797. He was himself a recipient under that 
act. For this he is cliarged by Mr. Updike as 
an unprincipled politician and spcciilttor, and 
guilty of a stupendous fraud. He is one charged 
with speculating on the holders of securities, 
and then with speculating on the State. He is 
charged as one who has by his political influ- 
ence,effected the passage of acts fraudulently ob- 
taining appropriations to redeem the Notes oiven 
by the State, he being the owner of such Notes. 
He is charged as one of the speculators who 
had been guilty of a previous pitindtnng process 
which had tempted the present petitioners to try 
their hand at the game. All this has been 
charged by Mr. Updike, in his printed report 
over his own signature, against Mr. Burrill, and 
yet he has the effrontery to write to Mrs. Bur- 
g?s that he has never said or done aught to in- 
jure his good name or reputation. Of all tha 
vJces to wliich frail man is subjected, no one is 
more derogatory to the character of a gentleman, 
Ihan a piliful propensity to practise falsehood, 
ane of ail the falsehoods charged upon Mr. Up- 
dike, none are more pifi/'id than iliose in his 
miserable, imperfect, and disjointed letter of denial, 
to Jlrs. Burges. 

To show how clf^ar was the conviction on 
the minds of the House th;-tt Mr. Burnll and 
others had been maliciously assailed, m Mldi- 
tion to (he remarks before stated by Mr. Wee- 
den, we hereto placp an exiract from the sjieech 
ot the Hon. John il. Clark, in llu; House of 
Representatives, afier the close of iMr. Up- 
dike's speecii, on his soini-ofTiL-ial report, in 
January last. Mr. Clark, in a spercli distiu- 
enislied ("or its force of reasoning ant] eb g oice 
of di( tion, coniineiited on the uncalled lur im- 
putations against ihe Hon. Wm. Hunter and 
the Hon. Tristani Burges, appropriately eulo- 



u 



gising their distinguisheJ talents and public 
•ervices. His vindication also of Mr. Bnrrill 
was delivered with a dignity of manner, fully 
evidencing his own honorable principles, his 
kind feelings, and full coDviciJDn of its perfect 
truth. Mr. Clark said, " amidol unmeasured 
denunciation against such as may bjve favored 
these claims, and are living. I had hoped that 
the character and the memory of the dead, 
might at least have been spared. The late Mr 
Burrill has been arraigned as a speculator in 
these claims, and also with having fraudulent- 
ly procured the passage of acts by which they, 
with others, might be recognized by the State. 
His whole life was a contradiction to tliis 
charge. Mr. Burrill was known to very many 
of us — his memory is cherished by us all. He 
was honored for his high and commanding tal- 
ents — his lofty eloquence and his stern integ- 
rity ; and no man in our State possessed so 
much of public confidence. His hfe was spent 
HI her service, and he died whilst a Senator in 
Cong»'ess. devoting his last energies to the 
public good. His remains are entombed at 
the Capitol — dedicated by his Children to his 
Country." 

Had not Mr. UpUiUe been guilty of the un- 
manly and cowardly assaults charged upon 
him, this just and withering rebuke would 
never have been uttered. 

The writer of this is no politician. He has 
never received or sought office, either of the 
State or of the United States. Hk has NEVEa 

SOLD HIS PRINCIPLKS OR HIMSKLF, OR THROWN 

RKPEATED POLITICAL soMKRSETS to obtain pop- 
ular favoT. He has never addressed a political 
caucus, or vvriiten a political article for a par- 
ty press. His tiir}e and his services have been 
devoted, with untiring industry, to his private 
business transactions ; and the object of this 
publication is to apply a corrective io false po- 
sitions taken by an unprincijAed politician, tvho 
knoivs no true, open, manly aud honest course, 
hut vainly hopes by his selfish acts to ride into 
political power. 

JOHN W. RICHMOND. 
Providence, August 10, 1847. 

P. S. The foregoing having been sub- 
mitted to the Hon. Samuel Dbxter, he has 
granted us permission to annex to it the fol- 
lowing letter, dated April 2Ist, 1847. The 
letter will explain Mr. Dexter's views and 
opinions of Wilkins Updike. 



" Docf. Jno. W. Richmond : 

Dear Sir, -Your note of the IDth is re- 
ceived ; the subjoined reiDarks will, 1 be- 
lieve, ansv-ir ail your inquiries. 

I was chairman of a committee appointed 
by the Hon. General Assembly at their Jan- 
uary session, 1846, to invostigite the valid- 
ity of what is called the Registered Stale 
Debt. I would observe that at a meeting of 
the Board, it was pro[)ose(l to appoint Eli- 
sha R. Potter, Esq. attorney for the Stale, 
to search the rec(jrd3, and obt.iin all possi- 
ble infortnation on the suhjoct ; and he was 
appointed accordingly. Mr. Potter, it is 
believed, faithfully and industriously inves- 
tigated the subject, reported the result of 
his enquiries to me as chairman, in writing, 
accompanied witii all the documentary evi- 
dence appertaining to the same. 1 then 
took up the subject, spent a good deal of 
time upon it, and upon a full consideration 
of the matter, I came to a full conviction 
that the debt was ju?tly due from the State. 
T do not recollect at any meeting of the 
Boird when the subject was discussed, that 
any member of the committee took any 
other view, except Mr. Updike, who was 
understood at the time of his appointment 
to hold opinions adverse to the allowance 
of the claims, and as having within his 
reach evidence which might be produced 
by him before the board, in support of the 
views he had previously advocated. On 
being desired to do so, he declined taking 
any perfoiial trouble in the matter. I cou- 
side ed at the time, Mr. Updikes conseniinpr 
to serve on the coinmiliee (he having de- 
nounced the petitioners.) an act of great 
indelicacy, and afterwards (previous to the 
report of the committee, and before the in- 
vestigation was completed,) coming out in 
a public paper, as he did, commenting upon 
the subject matter in dispute, a violation of 
public duty, and a gross indignity to the 
Other members of the committee. 
I am Sir, Yours, &c. 

SAM'L DEXTER. 



15 



NOTE A. Pending]; the hearing of the pe- 
tition of the holders of Slate Securities, Jan- 
uary session, 1847, Hon WiMiaiii Hunter was 
requested by several members of the House of 
Representatives, to state his recollections of 
tlie claims, known as the Registered State 
Debt, and the opinions of the distinguished 
men at the linie when the State Secutilies were 
issued, and when the appropriations for the re- 
dcmpiion of ihe greater part of them were 
made; Mr. Hunter then being a member of 
the House. Tlie statement was clear as to the 
consideration, and tlie repeaced recognitions of 
l.he debt : also of the desire of the Assembly 
to make the payments, and a detailed state- 
ment of the ajipropiiitions for that purpose. — 
For this alone, Mr. Updike indulged in abuse 
so gross, that two members of the House 
simultdtieously called him to order, one of 
whom said in addition, '"if he could not ob- 
serve more decency of conduct, he had better 
leave the House." Subsequently, Mr. Uodike 
apologised to Mr. Hunter, by letter, dated 
Jan. 25, 1847, from which we make tlie fol- 
lowing e.Ktract : — " I cannot but be aware that 
in the discussion of last Monday, on the sub- 
ject of the State Debt, I was betrayed by the 
impetuosity o( my feelings into expressions, in 
which 1 forgot the respect due you. and lo llie 
audience, as well as to mvself. My cooler 
judgment has severely admonished me of that 
hasty wrong, wiiich ] sincerely regret. Permit 
me to say to you how unfeignedly I admire 
the gentlemanly and magnanimous forbearance 
which restrained you i\o\n retorting upon me 
as you so justly might have done in reply lo 
the iinwonhy expressons in which 1 rasl:ly 
indulged." And all this "impetuosity of feel- 
ings" was produced on a plain investigation of 
a claim [iresented against the State, during 
which nothing had then been said or done by 
the claimants, to excite or disturb any citizen 
of the Sinie, or any one in official statif)n; the 
agent of" the peiioners having stated to the 
House, '"that although the creditors of the 
State had for more than three years been char- 
ged with fraiidulenily .utempiing to plunder the 
Treasury, they should vindicate themselves 
only with f.icis proved by the records of the 
State — -and that their respect for the House, 
their respect for themselves, would forbid Ihcm 
to reiterate abuse for abuse. Tliat they have 
since demon-itrated Mr. Updike's iniquity, and 
severely castigated him with the pen. lliev are 
free to admit. He mounted the State Debt, 
as his hobby to ride into office, and thought 
his poliliciil reward could be best obtained, by 



FOR CONGRESS, 

WILKINS UPDHiE, 

of South KingsLorvn. 



showing how holdlij he could use both Whi]* 
and Sphv. 

NOTE B. In 1833, WiLKtNS Updike 
was the Dkmocratic candidatk for Rep- 
resentative to Congress from Rhode Island-^ 
The Providence City Gazette was then pub- 
lished by tlie present "John Smith, Jr. of Ar- 
kansas." who advocated the claims of Updike. 
Smith had something "wayward" in his dispo- 
sition, and when fair occasion oftVred, could 
not resist the temptation to give a Irft-handed 
hit, even against his political friends. Updike 
was at :he head of the leading column, and di- 
rectly parallel, in the next column, was an ex- 
tract from the Boston Courier, published by 
Buckingham. Thus : 

A Compliment. — 
The Boston Courier, 
whilst speaking of a 
Trading Politician, 
says of him, " He 
would never let the 
dead rest in peace, if 
he could gain a vote 
or a dollar by robbing 
the sepulchre." 
Either "Smith" knew Updike's disposition 
then, as well as we do now, and so arranged his 
published matter as to create some inquiry, or it 
was one of the strongest accidental coinciden- 
ces to be found in periodical record. 

NOTE C. Extracts from Updike's Letter 
to Mrs. Biirges, were published in March last. 
We now give the le ter entire, as an evidence 
of the chaste style of his epistolary efforts. It 
furthei shows that our extracts were correct, 
and that after he had, to the extent of his pow- 
ers, abused her dead Father, he could have 
the contemptible meanness to deny what he 
had published over his own name. 

Providence, March 1st, 1847. 

Dear Madam: — I have this moment receiv- 
ed your note by the hands of my son. post- 
marked the 19ih of February. Where it has 
lain from that day to this 1 cannot say. If I 
had have received it before I should have an- 
swered it instanter. The reason of the delay 
I hope is satisfactory. 

I avow now, as I always have done, that the 
information conveyed to you that 1 slanded the 
memory of vour Hon. Father [Hon. James 
Burrill] in the debate in the House of Repre- 
sentatives, or any where else, is erroneous,— 
wholly so, — never was any thing further from 
the intention of my heart. His name, and re- 
collections of him, 1 have ever revered, — and 
there has arisen no occasion or cause for any 
change. 1 heard that you felt offended frotn 



16 

\he representations of others of what I said, sentation has ever been made by me wearing in 

when in Hict I never said any sucli thing, and any respect the impressions made on you or 

the very "rntleinan thai distorted my remarks, others. 

first informed me of it, and advised me lo call Mrs. Burgeg shall have every impression re- 

on you. i immedr.iielv repaired lo your house moved, or satisfied in some shape, that rests on 

for the purpose of disabusing your mind from her mind. I should have called again for the 

the unjust loilgment made there. You was purpose, but Mr. Burges did not ask me to, 

out, and I then called on your husband, and in and I thought I would do ii through a friend. 

conVersaiion with him disavowed any such in- The circusnstances that have arisen have 

tenfion or design in all its phases. 1 have not given me great pain, wlien I know that the 

the Itasl doubt that I can saiisCy you in a few impression made on you was erroneous or 

moments by a personal representation. distorted when conveyed lo you. If 1 cannot 

And if, firtiher, in the heat or vehemence of s itisfy you of that, I will adopt any other 

a warm debate, any observations escaped from honorable course that will efteci it. 

me. or that I was hurried into any imjjroper, 1 am under the necessity of leaving town 

unjust or hasty remarks, I should feel thai it by 2 o'clock, but shall be here on Saiurday, 

beionued to my own character to retract them, and if Mrs. Burges will le so good as to 

as well as justice to that distinguished man, bis drop me a line at Kingston, I will attend 

child or descendants. upon her, and have no doubt every impres- 

Madam, let me assure you that, as a Rhode sion hostile to my course can be satislacto- 

Jsland man, I have always venerated the name rily removed. 

and characterof your parent, and have uniform- I wish that 1 could have received your let- 
ly spoken of the glory he has shed upon the ter before ihis day. I hope things will re- 
reputation of the Stale. I feel the same and main nniil I return to the city, 
am impressed with the pride now, and have al- Wiih great respect yours, &cc., 
ways stated the same to you in person. W. UPDIKE, 

if I have done any wrong, it was uninten- Mrs. E. B. Burges. 
tional, and I am not conscious that any repre- 

NOTE D. As only a small number of our citizens have ever seen a State Security, we will 
give a copy of those issued under the Acts of 1795 and 1797. 

STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 

[No. 100.] GENERAL TREASURER'S OFFICE, September lOth, 1795. 

I HEREBY certify, that there is due to Reuben laj/lor, of Portsmouth, or Bearer, 

from the STATE OF RHODE ISLAND Sfc. one'hvndnd andfjti/ tloUars, and 

forty-seven cirnts, being a Balance not provided lor by the Transfer of the funded and 

deferred stock of the United States belonaing to this State, agreeably to an Act made 

and passed by the General Asseinb/.i/ of this State, at their January Session, A. D. 

1795, wljich Certificates, by order of the said Assembly, are to carry an Interest of Four 

per Gent, per Annum, from the First Day of January, One Thousand Seven Hundred 

and Ninety-five, until paid. H' Y SHERBURNE, General Treasurer. 

Endorsed — " Two years' interest paid to January, 1797." 

STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 

[No. 88 ] GENERAL TREASURER'S OFFICE, Newport, Nov. 2Si/i, 1797. 
IN virtue of an act of the General Assembly, passed at the session held in June, 
A. D. 1797, "for calling in the notes and securities issued by this state for services and 
supplies during the late war with Great Britain, which have not been liquidated and 
exchanged, and lor giving the hr)lders of them new securities." I hereby certify. 
That there is due to Doctor Benjarnia Richmond, of Little Compton, or bearer, from 
the State of Rhode Island, &c. One Hundred and Thirti/ Three dollars and Sevrnty- 
thrcc cents, with interest thereon at the rate of four per cent, per annum, from the first 
day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, until paid. 

Dolh. 133,^oV ^'Y SHERBURNE, General Treasurer. 

Endorsed — "Two years' interest paid to January, 1797." 



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